Calm before the Storm

The scene picks up right where it left off: the shadowy entity slowly advancing toward Sumato, its raspy voice echoing a single word again—“Why?”

Sumato instinctively tries to get up but quickly realizes he can’t. His Shinen is restrained, and a sliver of curiosity glues him in place. The entity’s anatomy twists unnaturally—its limbs stretch like rubber, bones cracking in unnatural ways, its form bending in and out of light. The closer it gets, the more reality seems to distort.

Sumato narrows his eyes.

“Enough,” he mutters under his breath.

With a sudden burst of energy, he breaks free from the bed and lands on his feet, faking his previous injuries. The entity halts mid-step, as if stunned. From the mass of darkness, a toothy, exaggerated grin flashes—a bright white crescent stretching from cheek to cheek.

Then, without warning—

SLAM!

The infirmary door swings open. The entity vanishes in a blink, leaving only the smell of burnt ozone behind.

Standing in the doorway are Viera, Kazumi, Mizokushi, Quiera, and a girl with cherry-brown hair. She runs up to Sumato and embraces him tightly.

"You were the one holding me…" Sumato realizes, blinking.

The girl averts her eyes, muttering, "It was... impulse."

Sumato chuckles. "Impulse, huh? Gotta say, that was a pretty good one."

As he stretches, Kazumi and Viera step closer. Kazumi stares straight into his eyes.

“You could’ve ended that fight easily, couldn’t you?”

Sumato doesn’t speak. But the brief glance, the drop in his smile, and his silence say everything.

Mizokushi crosses his arms. “Castimore’s gone. He escaped after the match. So stay sharp.”

“Will do, boss.” Sumato throws a mock salute, returning to his lighthearted tone.

Outside, the group walks through the misty morning air. A roar erupts from the training grounds. Smoke and energy cloud the sky.

They turn toward the arena. There, seated atop two unconscious bodies, is Nozuchi—calm, unfazed.

“The prodigy among prodigies wins again,” the commentator booms. “Taking down a 2v2—or shall I say a 1v3?!”

Sumato and Kazumi exchange looks. Not a word spoken, but their locked eyes speak of rivalry, growth, and the hunger to rise.

Later, as they cool off by the garden steps, Sumato finally answers Kazumi’s earlier question.

“I could see even the first bullet coming. I let it hit me.”

“What?” Kazumi asks. “But why?”

“I have fire, water, air, earth, and light manipulation. Sermonta absorbs any energy type, even kinetic. I could’ve shut him down in seconds.”

“So…?”

“Just wanted to have fun, I guess.” Sumato shrugs.

Viera folds her arms. “Do you even know who that Naomi girl is?”

“Not a clue.”

Kazumi rubs his chin. “I think… she’s the daughter of the school’s founder.”

“Huh,” Viera adds. “My dad’s colleague mentioned her once. That tracks.”

Sumato raises an eyebrow, then leans in and whispers to Kazumi.

“Are you dating her?”

Kazumi flinches. “I… don’t know. She found me and… hasn’t left my side since.”

Sumato smirks, satisfied with the vague drama.

Suddenly—THUD!

Sumato bumps into a stranger. The boy stumbles, then scowls.

“Watch it, you double left-footed buffoon.”

Sumato’s temper flares. “You’ve got a problem? Let’s settle it in the arena.”

The boy retorts saying “Of course a meat head like you would immediately go to violence, but this might be a good way to move forward.”

The boy grins.

“Name’s Alexander. Bring a partner. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

As Alexander walks off, Sumato turns to Kazumi with pleading eyes. Kazumi sighs, already regretting the coming chaos.

Viera nudges him. “You know you want to.”

Kazumi groans. “Fine. But if you hold back again, I’m walking out mid-fight.”

Sumato throws an arm around his shoulder. “Wouldn’t dream of it, partner.”

The last panel shows the two walking toward the arena entrance, the tension rising with every step.

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